Talented dancers from three Copeland schools will head to Grimsby this weekend to take part in Rock Challenge.

St Benedict's School, Whitehaven Academy and West Lakes Academy are all set to compete in the premier northern final.

Hundreds of students will travel to Lincolnshire for the event, which is an anti-drug, alcohol and tobacco initiative for young people under the age of 18.

It challenges schools to put together an eight-minute dance and drama production on a theme of their choice.

West Lakes Academy's performance will see 106 pupils involved in a dance based on a book by British novelist Laline Paull called The Bees.

Dancers enter a new world within a beehive, where main character Flora is a sanitation bee, only fit to clean her hive. Living to accept, obey and serve, she is prepared to sacrifice everything for her Queen.

Academy teacher Jill Sunter said: "The students and staff are very excited for Grimsby this year.

"The performance has really evolved since we showcased it in Carlisle in March. The entire team has worked around the clock to develop an exciting and thought provoking piece.

"I am immensely proud, thankful and humbled by the entire team's dedication and professionalism - from the stage crew to the performers. We are ready to represent Team Copeland and West Lakes Academy."

While Whitehaven Academy has based its performance on The Invention of Wings, a book by American writer Sue Monk Kidd.

PE teacher Fiona Ryden said: "The underlining theme is slavery and it is based in the Deep South. It is a story of hope and friendship and good conquering bad."

The school is sending 88 students to Grimsby, and many ex-pupils have returned to help them prepare.

"Our ex-pupils come back every year, they are the backbone of the performance, helping out back stage and building and painting the set," said Mrs Ryden.

"Three of our ex-pupils volunteer for Rock Challenge as well and go to a number of the events, we must be doing something right!"

At St Benedict's, students will perform 'Exodus', a dance they showcased at Carlisle in March.

Helen Scott, performing arts teacher, said: "It's about the story of Moses and the plagues of Egypt, and how Moses freed the Isrealites out of slavery.

"They are wearing lots of colourful costumes. Students will be representing the different plagues such as frogs, blood and flies."

The production features 70 dancers and 20 pupils backstage.

Miss Scott said: "They are buzzing about it. They have never been to a premier competition before. It's a big step up for them. They are all really excited."